Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Specific details of courses to be offered will be published prior to enrollment each term. This course can be repeated for credit up to a maximum of three times, if topic studied is different. Variable units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Description

This course in critical cultural computing surveys the rich fabric of Indigenous knowledge within computing. More generally, students will critically analyze how computing technologies are shaped by cultural values and how, in turn, computers and digital technologies shape culture. And specifically, this course reveals unique perspectives that transcend conventional frameworks. By examining computer software, hardware, and associated theories through the lens of Indigenous worldviews, this course reconnects computing to the natural world. Students will explore alternative and culturally-focused wisdoms in computing, and the significant impact colonial structures have had, and how they hinder the ability of ancestral knowledges to recognize computational systems as mirrors of natural world processes. Students will be introduced to decolonizing computing and the importance of Indigenous storytelling and ceremony in computing by embracing a paradigm shift that views modern innovations in computing technology as inherent developments of ancient Indigenous wisdoms.

This seminar course is focussed on Cultural and Place/Land-based Computing. Exploring how culture and itS relationships to place relate to, and inspire, computational creativity, and how alternative soci-cultural perspectives affect knowledge within computing, especially computer programming. Students will engage in critical discussions, analyzing how western and colonial structures within computing domains are barriers to a deeper understanding of computational systems as reflections of natural processes.

Who is this course for?

Upper-level undergraduate students and graduate students with a keen interest in challenging computing knowledge domains by exploring and designing alternate forms of interface design, Students will be welcome to navigate the intricate landscape of decolonizing computing with immersive technologies, and encouraged to synthesize traditional Indigenous knowledges with contemporary computing technology to address how computing practices impact and are impacted by:

• Algorithmic bias: How do algorithms perpetuate discrimination and reinforce socioeconomic, racial and gender biases?
• Power dynamics: How do digital technologies reinforce existing power structures, and how can these power structures be challenged?
• Digital divide: How do we address inequalities and uneven distribution of, and access to, technologies?
• Cultural/Identity representation: How are computing technologies used to represent and misrepresent different cultures, peoples, and identities.

Through rigorous academic inquiry, students will emerge with a profound appreciation for the complexities inherent in reconciling Indigenous epistemologies, ontologies, and axiologies with western notions of computing. Also, students from Indigenous, marginalized, or underrepresented backgrounds, as well as those passionate about cultural and social justice in computing, and/or interested in exploring new ideas, concepts and perspectives in computing from an interdisciplinary perspective will find this course valuable.

** Our first class will take place on Friday January 10, 2025 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. on the Surrey Campus in Room TBD

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The course is intended to support students in gaining both practical experience with and a critical understanding in the context of the below 5 key learning objectives.

1) Theories & frameworks: Identify, rationalize, and interpret appropriate theory(s) and/or framework(s) including the type of medium/technology/approach that are most useful for addressing a given challenge in relation to a context, goal, and particular audience. 

3) Human and Social Development: Utilize tools and techniques to create a supportive learning environment that fosters effective learning, growth, reflection, collaboration, and sense of community. More specifically, students (and teams) will be asked to support and help each other to learn better, provide useful feedback, improve projects, and create a supportive and inclusive community, show meaningful engagement and useful contribution to relevant course activities, and support each other and help everyone come together as a community and thrive. 

4) Effective communication: Demonstrate effective communication at all levels: interpersonal, team, community, and public. This includes giving and receiving respectful and constructive feedback; and utilizing feedback to improve product and processes, and effectively communicating in suitable forms/media, such as: project pitch presentations, creating a project website and ongoing project documentation in form of a design document of suitable format (similar to what you’d do for your portfolio), co-organize the final project showcase where you will present on and demonstrate your project, and creating a project video and poster. 

5) Technical proficiency and project management: “How”: Effectively manage a substantial time limited project from an idea’s conception through iteration cycles to completed artifact and/or research outcome

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Easily accessible storage of your coursework and projects is mandatory.
Use of backup solutions whether virtual (Like Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud) or physical (USB thumb drive) is highly recommended and strongly encouraged.

REQUIRED READING NOTES: